Chair convertible to inclined bed



Sept. 28, 1954 A. c. COUN1HAN 2,690,209

CHAIR CONVERTIBLE TO INCLINED BED Filed March 28, 1952 IN VEN TOR.

n T ram/57s Patented Sept. 28, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHAIR CONVERTIBLE TO INCLI NED BED Anita C. Counihan, New York, N. Y., assignor to Anita Colby Beauty Chair, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 28, 1952, Serial No. 279,187

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improved chair.

It is an object of the invention to furnish a unit of this character, the parts of which may be adjusted to provide proper supports for the user such that the body and limbs may be exercised in addition to which a flow of blood towards the head and away from the feet may be stimulated. Moreover, when the parts of the chair are adjusted to thus support the body, a structure is furnished which may be used in connection with massage treatments, limb manipulation, etc.

A further object is that of providing a device of this type which will include relatively movable parts capable of adjustment to provide a more or less conventional chair structure for supporting the user in a seated position; that structure providing a comfortable and attractive unit of furniture Which will occupy a relatively small space.

An additional object is that of designing a chair which will include relatively few parts each individually simple and rugged in structure and such parts being capable of ready assemblage to furnish a unitary article providing service over long periods of time with freedom from all diiiiculties.

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attached sheet of drawings illustrating one practical embodiment of the invention and in which: i

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the structure and showing the parts of the same in extended position to furnish an assembly ideally adapted to support the user in an inclined position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the parts as shown in Fig. l with the side wall of the structure removed to simplify the illustration;

Fig. 3 is a similarside elevation of the parts with the latter adjusted to furnish a chair struc-' ture; and c Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the assembly as shown in Fig. 3.

Referring primarily to Figs. 1 and 2, the numerals 5, 6 and 1 indicate panels formed of wood or any other suitable material and which are swingingly connected to each other by means of hinges 8. The central panel 6 is supported between side walls 9 which are secured thereto in any desired manner. As will be observed in these figures, panel 6 is thus mounted in an inclined plane. The side Walls 9 may terminate below the panel in legs I ll. Their upper edges are conveniently defined by outwardly extending flange or bead portions ll. Panels 5 and l are shiftable to be coextensive with the plane of panel 6 and thus a substantially uninterrupted or continuous tilted surface is provided by these panels which has an overall length adequate to support the body, head and limbs of the user.

The lowermost panel 5 as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, has secured adjacent its outer edge, by a flexible or hinge connection, a pad it which may be filled with anysuitable material of a cushioning character. As indicated in section in Fig. 2, the panel 5 as well as the other panels may conveniently be, covered with cloth as at l2. Panel 5 may be provided with a manipulating knob M upon its outer or lower face and furnished with latch elements 15 cooperating with keepers Hi associated with the inner faces of side walls 9. Strips ll functioning as stops may limit the upper swinging of panel 5 to a position where it extends substantially perpendicular with respect to panel 5. As will be apparent when these panels assume positions substantially perpendicular with respect to each other, latches 15 will engage within keepers it to maintain the parts in position. However, by simply exerting sufficient force upon panel 5 to move the latter in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the detents furnished by the latches and keepers may be rendered inoperative so that the panel 5 may be caused to assume a position co-extensive with panel 6. y

Adjacent the outer edge of panel I, limb-engaging portions in the form of foot-accommodating straps may be mounted. These have been indicated at it. They may be centrally secured as at It. In this manner a pair of loops are furnished through which the feet be extended. The lower face of panel 7 as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 is conveniently provided with a cushion 26. Providing an L-shaped extension of panel 1 is a backing 2!. Both cushion 2t and backing 2! are conveniently furnished with spring or are otherwise constructed in a manner such that they provide proper yielding sup-ports. The height of the back portion 2i is such that with the parts in the positions shown in the figures mentioned, the upper edge of the back will contact the supporting floor to properly maintain panel 1 against movement with respect to panel 6. It is apparent that incident to the engagement of the part of the panel 5 adjacent the lower end of the latter, it will likewise contact the supporting floor to be maintained in proper position.

With the parts disposed in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it is obvious that a user may dispose himself upon the panels 5, 6 and 1 and extend his or her feet through the straps 8. The body may be lowered until the head rests upon pad I3. In this position a flow of blood will be induced towards the head and away from the feet and lower limbs of the user. In so disposing the body, the person employing the unit may grip the beads ll and such gripping may likewise be resorted to when the body is to be elevated. However, normally with the feet or ankle portions extending into or through .the straps ill the body may be raised and lowered by pivoting at the hips. This will result in a beneficial exercise. Likewise with the parts so disposed it is apparent that the unit may be employed as a support for massage and general manipulating purposes. While ordinarily the user will dispose the body and limbs in this manner it is apparent that the head might be extended in the direction of the free edge of panel 1. Under these circumstances the hands or wrist portions could be ex tended through the straps I8 in orde to permit of leverage effects and exercises on the part of the users body.

When the device is to be used primarily as a chair, then panel 5 will be swung upwardly so as to engage the detents l5 by I6. Under these circumstances, panel 5 will remain in proper position with respect to the side walls 9. Thereupon panel 1 may be swung to a position to overlie panel 6. Accordingly, the parts will assume the positions shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

In those views it will be noted that with the seat 20 and back 2| secured against movement with respect to each other, the former will overlie the panel 6. The back 2| will lie adjacent and parallel to panel 5. Both the seat and the back will be sloped rearwardly so that an extremely comfortable structure is furnished. The pad l3 will swing and extend above the back 2! to thus provide a head rest. Accordingly, a comfortable and artistic chair structure is furnished under these circumstances. That structure may obviously be extended to furnish the assembly as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specifically aforenoted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in construction and rearrangements of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. A chair including in combination three coextensive panels, means for hingedly connecting said panels for movement with respect to each other, a pair of supporting side walls disposed adjacent the side edges of the central of said panels, means for supporting and mounting said central panel, the latter being so mounted in an inclined plane to dispose one of the end panels inclined downwardly therefrom and the other panel inclined upwardly with respect to the central panel, a seat and back portion secured to the underside of the latter panel and said side walls extending above the central panel receiving between them-when said panels are swung 4 to provide a chair both of the outermost of said panels and the seat and back portion.

2. A chair including in combination three coextensive panels, means ior hingedly connecting said panels for movement with respect to each other, a pair of supporting side walls disposed adjacent the side edges of the central of said panels, means for supporting and mounting said centra1 panel, the latter being so mounted in an inclined plane to dispose one of the end panels inclined downwardly therefrom and the other panel inclined upwardly with respect to the central panel, a seat secured to the underside of the uppermost panel, a back portion rigid with said seat and such panel and extending substantially perpendicular with respect to the same and said side walls extending above the central panel receiving between them-when said panels are swung to provide a chair-both of the outermost of said panels and the seat and back portion.

3. A chair including in combination three coextensive panels, means for hingedly connecting said panels for movement with respect to each other, a pair of supporting side walls disposed adjacent the side edges of the central of said panels, means for supporting and mounting said central panel, the latter being so mounted in an inclined plane to dispose one of the end panels inclined downwardly therefrom and the other panel inclined upwardly with respect to the central panel, a seat secured to the underside of the uppermost panel and a back portion rigid with said seat and such panel and extending substantially perpendicular with respect to the same; the height of said back being such that it contacts the floor with said uppermost panel co-extensive with said central panel and said side walls extending above the central panel receiving between them-when said panels are swung to provide a chairboth of the outermost of said panels and the seat and back portion.

l. A chair including in combination three coextensive panels, means for hingedly securing said panels one to the other, a pair of supporting side elements disposed adjacent the edges of and mounting the central of said panels, one end panel having a length such that it may be folded to lie upon said central panel, a seat and back extending substantially at right angles to each other and affixed to the underside of said one panel, the third panel extending beyond the end edge of said central panel, in an opposite direction from said one panel having a length greater than the height of said back and being extendable to a position to the rear of and parallel to said back, means for retaining said third panel in such position and a head rest attached to the outer end of said third panel to extend above the upper edge of said back.

5. A chair including in combination three coextensive panels, means for hingedly securing said panels one tothe other, a pair of supporting side elements disposed adjacent the edges of and mounting the central of said panels, one end panel having a length such that it may be folded to lie upon said central panel, a seat and back extending substantially at right angles to each other and affixed to the underside of said one panel, the third panel extending beyond the end edge of said central panel in an opposite direction from said one panel, having a length greater than the height of said back and being extendable to a position to the rear of and parallel to said back, a head rest attached to the outer end of said third panel to extend above the upper said panels to have swinging movements with 5 respect to each other, one end panel being shiftable to a position superposed upon the central of such panels, a seat secured to the upper face of said panel when the latter is so disposed, a

back extending upwardly from and rigid with 10 said seat, the third panel of said series having a length greater than the height of said back, a head rest mounted adjacent the upper end of said third panel to overlie said back when said third panel is disposed in a position parallel to and to the rear of said back, means for retaining said third panel in such position and spaced side 6 portions extending upwardly from the central of said panels and to receive between them said first and third panel, said seat and said back.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 695,538 Clairmont Mar. 18, 1902 1,344,255 Beckman June 22, 1920 1,539,214 Shockey May 26, 1925 2,562,339 Socol July 31, 1951 2,584,742 Schilling Feb. 5, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 15 Number Country Date 514,934 Great Britain Apr. 27, 1939' 595,032 France July 7, 1939 

